[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-208":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing Han",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1222967,1620,"Chapter 208: All the Multitude Flee Northward","overthrowing-han-chapter-208",208,"\u003Cp>Magistrate Ma’s head, along with the thousand gold delivered semi-openly from Julu, undoubtedly served to steady people’s nerves. At the very least, the earlier assassination of a provincial inspector had been given a certain degree of “satisfactory resolution,” had it not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then what else could there be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then some had to keep laboring bitterly on the river embankment, striving to finish before the new year so they might receive the rumored modest rewards; others were anxious to parcel out that swampland drained by the new canals before the spring planting, so it could be cleared and turned into fields as quickly as possible; and still others prayed that all would go smoothly, that word of the embankment’s achievement would swiftly reach the capital, and that they could then escape this fenced-off backwater that was Zhao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there were certainly also people like Gongsun Xun — outwardly relaxed, inwardly taut, appearing to hold a thousand matters firmly in hand while inwardly ceaselessly turning over all manner of conjectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as the days passed, winter receded and spring arrived, and right through the new year everything simply went smoothly, without the slightest sign of anything amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A-Yue’s mother has passed away,” Gongsun Xun sighed in the rear hall of the private residence opposite the Handan County temple, setting down the letter in his hand with a touch of helplessness. “That aunt of mine was ill-fated — she toiled so hard when she was young, and now just when A-Yue was about to show real promise, she has let go and departed… After the new year, send someone home to offer our condolences, and I will also write a personal letter to send to A-Yue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This response was only natural, so Zhao Yun, seated across the low table, promptly set down what she was doing and gave a slight nod of agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then husband and wife smoothly moved past the topic of Gongsun Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not cold-heartedness, but rather that there was no way to discuss it in depth… After all, both of them knew that for Gongsun Yue this was not only the pain of losing his mother, but also the severing of his future prospects. Gongsun Xun had originally persuaded his father-in-law, Zhao Bao, the Grand Administrator of Liaoxi, to arrange some kind of future for Gongsun Yue, such as a Reporting Officer, before he left his post — but now that could only come to nothing. On top of that, Gongsun Yue, who had just come of age, would likely miss the best window for arranging a marriage because of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as the saying went, the Great Han ruled all under heaven by filial piety — when something like this happened, helpless was simply helpless… It was an irresistible force, and in this age no one could be certain when they themselves might die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A plague has broken out in Jingxiang.” Gongsun Xun picked up the second letter and could not help frowning. “Cao Mengde writes that even before the new year, a plague erupted in the warmer climes of Jingxiang that no one could control, and as the weather warms it is gradually showing signs of sweeping northward into the Central Plains!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun tensed at these words, but in the end could only feel helpless. “Winter and spring are always prone to the spread of cold-related ailments — it is unavoidable that they sometimes develop into seasonal epidemics. We can only hope that the Yellow River will block this wave of plague.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It should block it.” Gongsun Xun shook his head repeatedly — this was surely what his mother called influenza. Yet separated by a thousand li, there was nothing anyone could do about it. “If it spreads all the way from Jingxiang to Hebei, that would be a great pestilence worthy of the history books.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun lowered her head and resumed the task in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems my father-in-law is about to enter the central government.” Gongsun Xun picked up another letter, this one from Gongsun Fan, who was attending upon Liu Kuan. After glancing through it, he drew his conclusion. “In the future, A-Yun, you might well be called a daughter of the high ministerial aristocracy — you wouldn’t start looking down on me then, would you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A-Zhi’s grandfather is still Prefect of the Masters of Writing at court.” Zhao Yun did not even raise her head this time. “Last year her father and maternal uncle were both ranked among the Nine Ministers together, and she is still obediently being your concubine, isn’t she? She even set up some Buddha statue at home to pray for a son, and when the cats knocked it to pieces in a fight, she cried just like a cat herself…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But speaking of my father leaving his post, there is one matter I must discuss with you, my husband.” Zhao Yun continued. “My grandmother actually wrote about this as well. She said she is getting old and will not move again with my father this time. She also plans to bring some clan members from Qinghe and relocate to Liaodong, where she intends to purchase land and settle down for good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grandmother truly has foresight.” Gongsun Xun could only say this. “She knows where a peaceful place is — unlike certain people…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun could not help laughing at this. “Must it come to that? Just let Cai Gong buy a bit more good land. Now that things have come to such a pass, even Cai Yan has been confined by her father and forbidden from coming to the rear courtyard to play. I hear that you, my lord, have reclaimed several thousand qing of fine land — surely you can spare a little?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is not a matter of sparing or not sparing.” Gongsun Xun immediately shook his head in denial. “It is that everyone is treated the same, and no exception will be made for him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually…” Though she hesitated slightly, Zhao Yun still spoke the truth. “It is not only Cai Gong. A few days ago, Luofu’s mother came to the residence to visit and could not help mentioning the land purchase quotas as well. It seems the Qin clan, and indeed the entire state, are quite dissatisfied with distributing land to commoners.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dissatisfied or not, the law cannot be disrupted.” Gongsun Xun continued reading through the pile of letters that had suddenly swelled because of the new year, slowly shaking his head. “These five thousand qing of land were earned through the hard labor of all the great clans and wealthy households of Zhao, together with the common people of three counties. Each shall receive exactly what they deserve — there must be no favoritism, lest we lose the people’s trust! If rewards are distributed unfairly, who will exert themselves for you in the future?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is true enough,” Zhao Yun answered softly, then raised her head once more. “But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But can you, my husband, truly remain in Zhao for long? And will there be a next time when the common people’s efforts are needed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What have you heard?” Gongsun Xun’s lips quirked slightly upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing much.” Zhao Yun rolled her eyes slightly. “Yesterday, the wife of my… clansman Zhao Ping came to the residence and unexpectedly thanked me. She said that before the new year, the Regional Commissioner had already sent the memorial on the embankment project to the Masters of Writing. My clansman in the palace heard that Zhao Ping’s name was listed in it and was beside himself with joy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand what you mean.” Gongsun Xun laughed aloud. “This clansman of yours by convenience is clearly about to leap straight to a two-thousand-dan post. And if even Zhao Ping can use this matter to reach two thousand dan, how could I not obtain a commandery or kingdom? And then all these affairs in Zhao — I fear there will be no next time! Is that what you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun had long since lowered her head again to deal with the task in her hands, looking utterly unconcerned. “In truth, it is not only because of my clansman. With your achievement in destroying Goguryeo, my husband, you should have been made a two-thousand-dan official long ago. And now that the new year has passed and you, my lord, are twenty-five, no matter what, it is time for you to govern a commandery on your own — and it must be a major commandery to be fitting…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wife thinks me handsome — that is personal bias.” Gongsun Xun took the opportunity to make a jest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps.” Zhao Yun remained as composed as ever. “But given your heroic brilliance, my husband, if A-Zhi or Luofu were to praise you, it would certainly not be out of fear…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was just about to retort when, in mid-conversation, a fat orange cat and a skinny calico cat came fleeing in panic through the hall, pursued by a large white cat, throwing the entire rear hall and its vicinity into chaos. He could only shut his mouth in silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much difficulty, once the three cats had been expertly separated by the serving women, Gongsun Xun finally came back to his senses. “We’ve been sitting here half the day, and I never asked — what exactly are you doing, A-Yun? This is the first time I’ve seen you doing needlework outside of the Qixi festival…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am making clothes for an infant.” Zhao Yun calmly raised the item in her hands. “Does my husband think they look nice?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was momentarily speechless, simply staring at her blankly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is only a guess.” Seeing this, Zhao Yun could not help feeling a little uneasy, and her voice dropped. “My husband has only been back twenty days, and my cycle happened to be off — I should have had my monthly, but for three or five days in a row I saw nothing. I thought it was just an ordinary irregularity, but when I asked a few older women, they all said congratulations… Of course, if it turns out to be nothing, we can just say these were made for A-Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was suddenly enlightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sort of thing… how to put it — it should be considered a happy event, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the time was far too short, and nothing was certain, so they could only wait and see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Gongsun Xun found it rather amusing. “It seems that lying under the open sky and drawing upon the essence of the starry river may not be so useful after all — one still has to honestly stay in bed…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Yun was momentarily overcome with shame and indignation, yet in the end she could not conceal the apprehension and hope in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the days that followed, Zhao Yun’s anticipation grew stronger, and she seemed more and more certain. But Gongsun Xun could not let such a matter change his routine… He still had things to attend to:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, using the name of the Spring Festival to write letters in all directions to maintain connections and gather intelligence;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, urging and preparing spring planting matters throughout the territory of Zhao;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And of course, sending someone to Hedong to clear Guan Yu’s criminal case and bring his betrothed wife to Handan;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even organized and hosted a cuju match between the public academy students and the Volunteer Followers… and took the opportunity to distribute a large amount of rewards and so-called scholarships.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, after the completion of the river embankment and through the days following the Spring Festival, Gongsun Xun’s life seemed exceptionally full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, on the seventh day after this round of matches, which was also the sixth day after the public academy resumed lectures, on the afternoon of the twenty-third day of the first month… the little chubby Liu Zhang suddenly quickened his pace after class and caught up with Gongsun Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun understood and turned into a secluded spot within the public academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher!” Liu Zhang bowed with great respect, then spoke nervously. “Earlier today, my father sent Attendant Officer Lu to deliver a letter. He told me to burn it after reading and then relay its contents to you, Teacher.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, who always considered himself widely experienced, was momentarily dazed upon hearing this, though he did not let it show on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Teacher!” Liu Zhang assumed he was being urged on and hurriedly explained. “It is indeed a major matter, and a good thing at that. My father says the court has already decided on your merits and you are likely to be promoted to a two-thousand-dan post any day now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter.” Gongsun Xun, having recovered himself, shook his head with a laugh. “Speak plainly — what place is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems to be Pingyuan.” Liu Zhang answered immediately. “But it could also be Zhongshan… This will only be certain after you, Teacher, make a trip to Luoyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trip to Luoyang was inevitable — all two-thousand-dan appointments required a visit to the capital. In the past it was to have an audience with His Majesty; now it was to hand over the money. But still…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your father can’t even give a definite word on this?” Gongsun Xun was actually angered into laughter. “Could it be that they want to see how things go? Are Zhongshan and Pingyuan the same thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kingdom of Zhongshan and the Kingdom of Pingyuan were naturally not the same thing. Zhongshan had a population of six hundred fifty thousand, making it a fairly large commandery-kingdom, but Pingyuan had a population of one million and was the largest commandery in Qingzhou! The difference between the two was the population of two entire Zhaos… Could they possibly be the same thing? Even Liu Zhang knew they were not the same thing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet knowing was one thing — Liu Zhang could only obediently keep his back bent and say nothing at all… After all, he was merely a messenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Gongsun Xun also understood that the boy before him was merely a messenger, understanding nothing at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he simply replied bluntly: \"Go back and tell your lord that I can tolerate this 'either Zhongshan or Pingyuan' business, but there is one thing I must see with my own eyes before I act!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please instruct me clearly, Teacher.\" The utterly confused Liu Zhang hurriedly bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have your lord bring the official warrant for the arrest of the wanted criminals,\" Gongsun Xun said sternly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The war-warrant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed! I care not whether it is issued by the Imperial Secretariat, the Yellow Gate Supervisors, or even the Provincial Governor himself, but a proper official warrant must reach my hands before I will move!\" At this point, Gongsun Xun suddenly bent down, grabbed the back of the other's collar, and pulled the boy's ear close to his own mouth. \"Liu Zhang...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here!\" Liu Zhang, utterly bewildered, was also badly frightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go back and tell your father: once I receive the imperial summons ordering me to Luoyang, I will mobilize my volunteer retinue and march toward Luoyang with great fanfare... Before I pass Yecheng, as long as the warrant arrives, I, Gongsun Xun, will never go back on my word! But if I have already passed Yecheng, even if he could produce an imperial edict, I would absolutely pay it no heed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you remember it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I remember it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I grant you a day's leave. Go home now and deliver the message in person,\" Gongsun Xun said, suddenly releasing his grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhang dared not say more, and hastily took his leave and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come back a moment.\" But just then, Gongsun Xun suddenly recalled another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" The chubby Liu Zhang hurriedly turned back, his forehead drenched in sweat. \"Please give your orders, Teacher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You said it was Attendant Lu who delivered the letter?\" Gongsun Xun asked thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is correct...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Attendant Lu highly trusted by your lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is only natural.\" Liu Zhang was momentarily rather embarrassed. \"Teacher does not know, ever since the assassination attempt last time, my father has valued Attendant Lu more and more. He often tells people that Fengxian possesses a valor unmatched by ten thousand men, and that day he nearly lost his life if not for Fengxian. So he not only arranged a concubine for him from a prominent local family, but also brought his family and wife to Yecheng. I've even heard it said that of the thousand gold pieces the Taiping Dao sent to the province that day, a full three hundred were bestowed upon Attendant Lu...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that is how it is. And after Attendant Lu delivered the letter?\" Gongsun Xun pressed on without pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He returned directly to Yecheng...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun lowered his head and pondered for a moment, only to find that although he felt some disappointment, overall he was surprisingly not particularly bothered... He did not know whether he had been mentally prepared all along, or whether, having Guan Yunchang now, he somewhat no longer cared as much about the other?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only say that, indeed, a person's impressions could smooth over certain things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher,\" Liu Zhang asked cautiously, \"is there anything else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get lost!\" Gongsun Xun barked upon hearing this, then simply clutched his annotated copy of the Mao Poems and strode away haughtily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhang looked around blankly, not knowing why he had been scolded, but ultimately followed his instructions and hurried off toward Yecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He said that?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, within the government offices of Yecheng, Liu Yan stroked his beard while the corner of his mouth could not help but twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" Liu Zhang was trembling with fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, Gongsun Xun had already intimidated this chubby boy back in Handan, and now the lad had toiled hard for several dozen li to return, only to find his own father in no better mood... How could a son not know that when his father's mouth twitched like that, it meant he was furious to the extreme?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Liu Junlang had to exert great effort to suppress the rage in his heart, and hurriedly waved his hand as if shooing something away: \"Since the message has been delivered, there is no need for you to remain here. I will have someone open the city gates for you; get yourself back overnight... Tell Gongsun Xun that I understand his meaning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhang had the urge to beg his own father to let him stay and rest here for one night before leaving, but seeing that even his elder brother Liu Fan was constantly signaling him with his eyes to get lost quickly, he ultimately dared not voice it, and could only hurry back on the road again that very night in a state of panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One could only say that for Liu Zhang, who was still binding his hair and pursuing his studies, it was truly excessive that both his parent and his teacher, when at odds, took their anger out solely on him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father!\" Having seen his younger brother out the door, Liu Fan was at a loss the moment he re-entered the room. \"This Gongsun Xun actually saw through our plan to kill two birds with one stone! Judging by his meaning, he would rather abandon Pingyuan and choose Zhongshan than take this risk?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Yan remained silent, merely stroking his beard and staring coldly at the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, a decision must be made now... Should the Taiping Dao be eliminated or not?\" Liu Fan forcefully suppressed the panic in his heart and pressed the question seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is not the Taiping Dao, but the Zhang brothers; the two are not the same thing!\" Liu Yan was extremely vexed. \"What does the elimination of the Taiping Dao have to do with me? The key is that the Zhang brothers have already tried to take my life. If I cannot kill them, am I not telling the world that I, Liu Yan, am of no consequence, and that anyone can bully me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the Zhang brothers are, after all, one with the Taiping Dao,\" Liu Fan said hesitantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is precisely the difficulty, and also the reason I sought Gongsun Xun to be the scapegoat,\" Liu Yan replied wearily. \"The Taiping Dao's influence is vast; the slightest carelessness could provoke unrest. Moreover, even within the palace, many Regular Attendants and Yellow Gate officials are in communication with them. That is why multiple high ministers have submitted memorials to the Son of Heaven, yet he does not take it seriously... I am neither willing, nor do I have the ability, to obtain a warrant condemning the Taiping Dao! If even Excellency Yang and Excellency Liu could do nothing, what can I do?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Fan let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And there is Gongsun Xun.\" The more Liu Yan thought, the angrier he became, and he actually began pacing in circles within the room while stroking his beard. \"Does he truly take me for a fool? If not for him striking at the Taiping Dao in Zhao, how would the Zhang brothers have taken notice of my memorial to the court, and subsequently moved against me? It was originally a perfect plan that satisfied both sides... Kill the Zhang brothers for revenge, shift the matter onto Gongsun Xun, and use the opportunity to strike at him... Who would have thought that this fellow, seemingly so arrogantly unmatched, could be so clear-headed at heart, and even so patient?! That is Pingyuan! A grand commandery of a million people, governed by a twenty-five-year-old! How could he endure it?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Fan grew even more helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forget it, more thought is useless.\" It must be said, this Governor of Jizhou was ultimately half a wise man, and particularly adept at discerning pros and cons, so after pacing for a long while, he suddenly stopped. \"My son...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father.\" Liu Fan, who had been listening to complaints for half the day, hurried forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since the Zhang brothers want to kill me, they must be eliminated!\" Liu Yan said, clutching his beard tightly. \"Go prepare a warrant, under the province's name...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if this provokes unrest?!\" Liu Fan was greatly startled. \"Must we truly take this risk?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me finish.\" Liu Yan glared fiercely at his son while tugging his beard. \"Wait until Gongsun Xun arrives north of Yecheng. Then, have Lu Bu, the Provincial Attendant recommended by Gongsun Xun himself, deliver this warrant in private. Once Gongsun Xun accepts the warrant and sets out with his troops, that very night we will seize that scoundrel Lu Bu, claiming he stole my official seal in secret...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Fan was dumbstruck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right,\" Liu Yan suddenly added softly, \"that barbarian Lu Bu has considerable martial skill; we must guard against trouble. In the coming days, ply him with more gold, silver, and women to dull his senses. On the day itself, get him drunk first and tie him up before speaking of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Fan stood agape for a long while before finally nodding slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are things with Zhang Jiao still normal as before?\" At the same moment, dozens of li away within Handan City, in the private rear hall filled with trusted confidants, Gongsun Xun could not help but repeat this question for the third time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, they are normal,\" Han Dang replied solemnly for the third time as well. \"My lord, rest assured, I guarantee you that the Yellow Turban Warriors at Dalu Marsh have made no movements whatsoever, and the three Zhang Jiao brothers are as they have always been... It is just that the three of them occasionally act separately, but we have also discerned the pattern of their movements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case,\" Gongsun Xun swept his gaze over everyone in the room and could not help but sigh, \"I have two matters to discuss with you all...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, within a few days, I may have to go to Luoyang to receive an appointment of two thousand shi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Lou Zibo, most people were invigorated by this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second, the Taiping Dao acts treacherously, their intent to rebel is glaringly obvious, and they have actually assassinated a Provincial Governor... Therefore, I have an agreement with the Governor: if, before I pass Yecheng, an official written warrant reaches me, then I will turn back and execute the Zhang brothers to uphold the law!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from Lou Zibo and Guan Yunchang, most people in the hall were momentarily frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—————I am the dividing line that continues to strive—————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Grand Ancestor once said: Liu Junlang's talent is barely passable, his capacity no hero's vessel; his schemes and ventures are mere gambles — not worth worrying over.\" — *The Old Book of Yan*, Scroll 64, Biographies 14, The Three Lius Biographies\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Still 47k left this month…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New book group 684558115 — everyone can join.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4175,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","e8803bfd6495cc5af594d2f14bac6273c52e1300e3a7a715c7cbad1efd4b0cce","overthrowing-han-chapter-209","overthrowing-han-chapter-207",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]